An Extra 15 Minutes in the Morning Could Change Your Life

I’m not naturally a morning person. My love of SoulCycle got me out of bed for months, but since I cut back on this workout out of necessity, I’ve fallen back into old habits. Hitting the snooze button five-plus times leaves me feeling groggy, seriously pisses off my boyfriend, and makes me rush around like a madwoman before running to the bus. In short, it’s not the most pleasant way to start my day.

Lately, however, I’ve found that waking up (and actually getting out of bed) earlier totally transforms my morning. I know that staying in bed can feel like the right decision when you’re cozy under the covers, but try waking up 15 minutes earlier, so you’ll have ample time for one (or a combination!) of the following healthy rituals.

Make a list: Instead of scrambling to remember what you need to accomplish all day, take the time to write down everything you need to do in the morning. There’s nothing more satisfying than crossing things off that list.

Go on a long(er) walk: Always scrambling to take your dog out as quickly as possible? Take the time to go on a long walk. Your pooch thanks you in advance.

Just read: When’s the last time you had time to read something other than your email in the morning? With 15 extra minutes you can read your favorite site or a chapter in your book before work.

Practice affirmations: Kick off an affirmation practice to start your day off on a strong and positive note. This takes way less than 15 minutes and can transform much more than just your morning routine.

Clean up: Make your bed, wipe down surfaces, or do a quick kitchen scrub. Keeping your house free of lingering germs will keep you healthy, and there’s nothing better than coming home to a clean house.